PAGE 12 June 2020
As Missouri lifts all coronavirus-related state restrictions, state cases
have increased by 6.5% in recent days. The latest numbers by the state
health department shows nearly 16,200 confirmed coronavirus cases in
Missouri and nearly 900 deaths.
It is important to note the coronavirus is still spreading. As Missourians
become more active outside of home, social distancing and wearing face
coverings remain key to mitigating risk of infection. A study by
Cambridge and Greenwich universities suggests that face masks are
more helpful in mitigating COVID-19 spread, than previously realized,
and have the potential to prevent future outbreaks.
According to scientists, the virus reproduction number, or the average
number of people who will contract it from one infected person, must
drop below 1.0. Researchers believe to achieve that threshold, a
combination of lockdowns, coupled with masking, would provide the best
defense.
It is safe to say that a second lockdown will be met with resistance. That
is why health experts continue to admonish the public to social distance
as much as possible and wear a mask. "We show that when face masks
are used by the public all of the time, (not just from when symptoms
first appear), the effective reproduction number can be decreased below
1, leading to the mitigation of epidemic spread," the scientists wrote in a
recently published paper.
They also included the masks do not have to be surgical grade, noting
that homemade masks that catch 50% of exhaled airborne respiratory
droplets provide a "population-level benefit."
Masks are worn to protect others. Experts continue to ask the public to
consider the greater good by wearing a mask. The bottom line is the
coronavirus is still in full affect.
"Our analyses support the immediate and universal adoption of face
masks by the public," said the study's lead author, Dr. Richard Stutt.
By Tonia Wright, Publisher
